Australian Open 2020: Canadians Steven Diez, Brayden Schnur have strong outings in second day of qualifying

Jace Mallory

Australian Open 2020: Canadians Steven Diez, Brayden Schnur have strong outings in second day of qualifying image

The first Grand Slam of 2020 is here, but the field has not yet been set.

Three Canadians were in action for the second day of qualifying meets on Tuesday (Wednesday in Melbourne).

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No. 23 Steven Diez made quick work of Barbadian Darian King with a straight-set victory, 6-2, 6-2 while No. 3 Brayden Schnur took three sets to defeat Austria's Sebastian Ofner, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The two men took different routes but both came out on top. Diez had a dominant performance from start to finish but Schnur struggled early. In the second round, Diez will face Japan's Hiroki Moriya; Schnur will face Belgian Kimmer Coppejans. Diez and Schnur entered as favorites in their matches. Schnur has the best odds of the three to receive a bid for the tournament.

Leylah Annie Fernandez, the only Canadian woman in competition on Day 2, played underdog against No. 7 Patricia Maria Țig and led 6-4, 4-1 before the match was suspended.

Jace Mallory